Introduction
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) that lasts for more than six month is estimated to occur in 60-80% of the general population in their lifetime and is associated with substantial healthcare costs. In this study, we utilized endoscopy for the precise microsurgical and ablation (ESIJ) of the potential pain generators associated with the SIJ and evaluated the clinical efficacy of this new technique.
Material and Methods:  
The medical records of 30 consecutive patients who underwent ESIJ for SIJ arthropathy and pain in CLBP between January 2016 and February 2018 were reviewed.

In order to confirm the SIJ pain as the main source of CLBP, three separate intraarticular SIJ and medial branch blocks of the lower facet joints (L4-S1) were performed under C-arm
control at least 3 weeks before the ESIJ-procedure. If patient experienced 50% or higher improvement less than two weeks in pain from baseline according to visual analogue scale (VAS) after this block, SIJ complex was considered to be the main pain generator, and ESIJ was scheduled.
Results:  
More than 350 endoscopic procedures of SIJ (ESIJ) were performed from January 2016 till February 2018.30 patients with SIG arthropathy in CLBP over 6 month were included by precise criteria (s.e.). At baseline the VAS was 7,23, ODI 44,8 and age of 56 (11 male, 19 female). After the ESIJ procedure the patient had an significant improvement in pain relief (measured by VAS) and functional ability (measured by ODI) at 3 to 24 months: VAS reduction from 7,23 baseline to 1,72 / 2,82 after 21/24 month significantly by 80% pain relief ODI ability improvement from 44,8 baseline to 22.2 significantly in lumbar function.
Conclusion:  
This new easy to perform endoscopic electrothermic procedure of the SIJ (ESIJ) shows good to excellent results in SIJ arthropathy in relation to pain relief and functional capacity in long term analysis.

ENDOSCOPIC ELECTROTHERMIC (ESIJ) PROCEDURE OF THE SACROILIAC JOINT 24-MONTH FOLLOW UP STUDIES